Fertility Show Africa Expert Talks (programme curated with IFAASA and SASREG)
Understanding egg and sperm donor treatment
Dr Jack Biko explains who may need donor eggs or donor sperm and how a donor cycle is run.
Antega South Africa · Learning Videos
Donor conception and grieving the loss of a genetic connection
Clinical psychologist Mandy Rodrigues talks about the emotional side of donor conception, including how some people come to terms with not having a genetic link to their child.
Fertility Show Africa (expert talks programme curated with IFAASA and SASREG)19:40Recorded / published: 2021Donor ConceptionFertility CounsellingAll learning videos
Original title: "Fertility Show Africa 2021 - Losing my DNA by Mandy Rodrigues". This is an emotional and counselling resource rather than a legal or clinical one.
Recorded in 2021. Some people using donor eggs or donor sperm describe grief, uncertainty or worries about bonding, while others do not — there is no single normal reaction. Anything said in this talk about donor anonymity, records, access to donor information or legal parenthood should not be treated as current South African law; check current regulation and take legal advice where it matters to you.
Key takeaways
- Choosing donor treatment is an emotional decision as well as a medical one.
- Some people may experience grief for the genetic connection they had imagined, and partners can feel differently from one another.
- Talking through expectations, identity and how you might explain donor conception to a child is often easier with a fertility counsellor.
- Support is available before, during and long after treatment.
Related Antega guides
- Donor treatment in South Africa: eggs, sperm and embryos
- Donor conception, surrogacy and preservation in South Africa
- Emotional wellbeing and support in South Africa
- Emotional wellbeing during fertility treatment in South Africa
- Secondary infertility and repeated loss in South Africa
Use these guides for general background, and check the South Africa organisations named on this page for local detail.
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References
- Fertility Show Africa 2021 show guide — https://fertilityshowafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/FSA-2021-Show-Guide.pdf
- Medfem Fertility Clinic — The challenge of accepting donor conception — https://medfem.co.za/the-challenge-of-accepting-donor-conception/
- Medfem Fertility Clinic — Openness and transparency in donor conception — https://medfem.co.za/openness-and-transparency-in-donor-conception/
This video was produced by Fertility Show Africa (expert talks programme curated with IFAASA and SASREG) and is shared for education only. It is not medical advice and does not replace guidance from your own doctor or fertility clinic. Naming an organisation does not imply a partnership with Antega.